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Ozarks VA Director Wants Wait List Review After Arizona Scandal

Following a recent scandal in Arizona with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the director of the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks has asked for a “comprehensive review” of all wait lists.

Three Phoenix Department of Veterans Affairs hospital executives were placed on administrative leave this week following allegations from whistle-blowers that accuse the Arizona veterans hospital of keeping a secret waiting list to hide delays in treatment.

The Fort Smith Veterans Affairs facility at 1500 Dodson Ave. in the Sparks Medical Plaza operates as a Community Based Outpatient Clinic under the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks.

“Dr. Mark Enderle, VHSO director, has asked for a comprehensive review of all wait lists to ensure we are in compliance with national guidelines on Electronic Wait Lists,” Wanda Shull, executive assistant/associate director and public affairs officer for the Ozarks system, wrote in an email.

More than 54,000 veterans are enrolled for care in the Ozarks system. In fiscal year 2013 the Ozarks system had more than 500,000 outpatient visits, Shull adds.

“We take veteran care and access very seriously and appreciate the efforts of staff and stakeholder support in providing the best care anywhere to our nations veterans,” Enderle stated in a news release.

On May 5 American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger asked for the resignation of Shinseki Under Secretary of Health Robert Petzel and Under Secretary of Benefits Allison Hickey. The Veterans of Foreign Wars called for the secretary to “restore credibility.”

“Providing Veterans the quality care and benefits they have earned through their service is our only mission at the Department of Veterans Affairs,” Shinseki stated in a May 1 news release. “We care deeply for every veteran we are privileged to serve.”